Universal Audio M-610 or an Avalon Vt737 sp

[ace20019]

Let me first start out by saying that I do not have the opportunity to audition these two units myself, and secondly I don't trust that I have enough experience to make the right decision if I did. I do all of my mixing in the computer so I'm basically looking for a great tube mic pre to make my recorded sounds a whole lot better. I already own a Focusrite Voicemaster and a Yamaha 01v. I use an Apogee Rosetta for AD conversion. I understand the versatility in the 737 but I wonder if it's preamp stage is "better" than the preamp stage in the m-610. The reason I ask is because the 737 is listed at $1000 more than the m-610. I can definitely get one or the other for now so I'll trust the opinions of those select few I have the utmost respect for here on the forums. By the way I do primarily R&B & Hip Hop. Thanks in advance for all suggestions.

 

[littledog]

The Avalon will work better on a larger range of mics and sources, and is also a full featured channel strip. The Universal doesn't have the compressor, but might work better on a few particular sources, and has the variable impedence feature which might make it a nioe match for a ribbon mic. It also might be a bigger contrast to what you already have.

No one can really answer which one you would like better. Only real meaningful test is to get both from your pro audio dealer and try them for a few days side by side. Lots of pro dealers (although not the chains) would be happy to let you do this. Even though you say you can't do a comparison for some reason, you should reconsider. If it is a geography issue, places like Mercenary will ship you the two units to try. If you don't trust your own ears or experience, bring in some great musicians and let them record with both, and ask them which sound they prefer.

Oops - I just saw you are in Washington DC. So now I know you have NO EXCUSE! (Laziness not acceptable!)

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

If you have the money, I would suggest the Avalon piece.

 

[ozraves]

What makes you think you need a tube mic pre?

The UA M-610 will have some old style tube sounds that will lend some ambience to your recordings.

The Avalon has tubes but it is more transparent. It's an excellent unit but if you want the "tube" sound get something else.

You could make a real sweet channel with an Earthworks Lab 101, an FMR RNC and a Speck ASC (with transformer balanced output). I'd actually just buy the Lab 101 and see if you felt a need for EQ and compression in your channel.

Steve
http://www.piemusic.com

 

[doulos]

ace are you going into a computer digitialy if so your losing bit rate off the 20 bit o1v dosent matter the rosetta 24 bit converters if you use the 01v your at 20 bit my advice a roland 24bit mixer with adat card and a grace 001 that would upgade your front end a lot! and what good is a avolon off of 20 bit converters?

 

[ace20019]

Well technically I go in through a MOTU 2408 via spdif.

 

[CyanJaguar]

I think that the manley 40db KILLS the avalon on ALL sources.

 

[Rev E]

Originally posted by doulos ace are you going into a computer digitialy if so your losing bit rate off the 20 bit o1v dosent matter the rosetta 24 bit converters if you use the 01v your at 20 bit my advice a roland 24bit mixer with adat card and a grace 001 that would upgade your front end a lot! and what good is a avolon off of 20 bit converters?

I think that it's more likely that he's going into the computer digitally through the Rosetta and using the 01v to monitor the signal without sending the audio through it.